Olona is the strongest fiber plant in the
world. Hawaiians painstakingly made rope & string out of the incredibly consistent, non-kinking
fibers. It is eight times stronger than hemp & put Hawaii on the map. Sailors from all over
the world as well as Swiss mountain climbers would come to Hawaii prepared to trade for any Olona rope that
was available. Wealthy Hawaiian Royalty (Ali'i), considered Olona cordage to be a sign of wealth
because it gave them trading power with visiting
foreigners.